THE CHURCH AS A SOCIAL WELFARE INSTITUTION; AN EVALUATION

Abstract

The issue of poverty and its adverse effect in the society is not new of which has called for the attention of the church in its battle. It is on this base that this paper is focused on the church as a social welfare in Nigeria. It looks at the concept of church and social welfare with regards to identifying how the church has helped and will still help in bring a change to the unfavourable conditions of people and also how she has been carrying out charitable works in the society. The paper gives a vivid understanding of the concept of church and social welfare. Social welfare as founded by either the nongovernmental bodies or individuals have in myriad ways made contributions in changing the pitiable conditions of the masses. The church on the other hand in recent times has taking a centre stage in this direction which is seen as part of her social gospel. In this regard therefore, this work will look at some of those areas of concern the church has helped and is still helping in bettering the lives of the masses. Omega power ministry as one of those churches has been outstanding in her role on social welfare which is worthy of note hence this work examines her role in the society. This work is theoretically framed with the Christian theory of human development. This theory was advanced by R.M Thomas (1990) who posits two cardinal goals to human endeavour, which is Christian’s pursuit of everlasting life in heaven and the practice of doing good in individual’s live by helping the poor, the needy, the depressed and contributing to societal development. Thus these cardinal goals of human development are hung on two principals of charity and justice which are seen in church’s work of social services to the societies. This work adopts a phenomenological method in its discussion and therefore recommends that the church of Christ as seen in the societies today should try to make her impact visible in ameliorating and helping in changing the deplorable conditions

of the people.